Ever crave those golden, crunchy churros from a fair, but just can’t face all the hot oil, the hassle, or the major mess? Yeah, me too. That’s why this Air Fryer Churros Recipe is a total life-saver for anyone with a sweet tooth but not a lot of time or energy for complicated steps. No deep-frying vibe here—just easy churros using your air fryer (I swear you’ll barely break a sweat). Promise, your kitchen won’t smell like a fast-food joint either.
What is a churro?
So, you might be wondering, “What exactly is a churro?” Well, let’s keep it simple. Churros are long, stick-shaped pastries that hail from Spain and Portugal originally, but honestly, they’re famous just about everywhere now. Usually, they’re fried until golden then rolled around in a sweet cinnamon-sugar coat. People often dunk them in chocolate, but let’s be real, they could taste good with just about anything—including nothing at all. Eating churros kinda feels like eating a sugar-dusted cloud with a slight chew. Not kidding, they’re basically carnival magic for your mouth. And with air fryers now? That festival treat is sitting right in your kitchen without the heavy, greasy aftertaste.
How to make air fryer churros?
Here’s the part where you realize how shockingly attainable churros at home actually are—like, I did this in pajamas. Start with your dough (it’s easy, promise), load it up in a piping bag, then squeeze out fun strips right onto small squares of parchment. Pop ’em in the air fryer. No gallons of scalding oil lurking on your stove, thank goodness.
Cheat code: Spray the piped dough with a bit of oil so it crisps perfectly—it actually matters for that satisfying “crunch to soft” bite. After air frying, while they’re still hot, roll ‘em around in a mix of cinnamon and sugar. Not complicated, but trust me, there’s nothing basic about the taste. You can eat them just like this or get fancy and make a simple chocolate dip. I once used leftover Nutella—don’t judge, it was awesome.
What ingredients do you need to make churros?
If your pantry isn’t stocked like a bakery, no worries. This Air Fryer Churros Recipe keeps it casual and simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
And for rolling afterward:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional: baking spray or oil (helps with that crispy finish).
Best part? You’ll probably already have most of these hiding somewhere in your kitchen (unless you need to run to the store real quick, been there).
Tips for the best air fried churros
I’m not gonna sugarcoat it (well, maybe I am)—these tips make all the difference. First, don’t skip the preheat. The air fryer gets hot fast, but you want it ready so the churros puff up instead of flatten out. Use parchment paper squares so the dough doesn’t stick or get weird. Squeeze the dough with a steady hand; wiggly churros are still tasty, but look a bit wild, and the texture may not match those five-star restaurant ones. Don’t overcrowd, either. Give them room to breathe or else they’ll steam, not crisp. Oh, and cinnamon sugar sticks way better if you roll churros while they’re warm, not hot-hot—just warm, trust me.
“I was skeptical, but wow—these turned out better than the deep-fried ones I had at the fair last summer. Crazy good!” — real testimonial from my friend Jess, aka Churro Queen.
Tools needed to make air fryer churros
You’ve actually got this! No crazy gadgets needed. Here’s what you do want:
- Air fryer (of course—duh)
- Small saucepan for the dough
- Piping bag or large zip-top bag with a star tip (for those classic ridges), but in a pinch? Snip the corner and go rogue
- Parchment paper for easy transfer and cleanup
I once used a sandwich bag as a piping bag when mine ripped. Was it neat? Absolutely not. Did it work? Totally.
Serving suggestions
For fun, here’s how I usually serve my air fryer churros:
- Dip ’em in melted chocolate, Nutella, or caramel (when I’m feeling wild)
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for extra drama
- Drizzle with honey instead of sugar if you want to shake things up a bit
- Toss them with a pinch of orange zest in the cinnamon sugar for a surprise flavor twist
Honestly, the world is your churro. Why not?
Common Questions
Q: Can I freeze leftover churros?
A: Oh for sure. Just pop them in an airtight bag, reheat in the air fryer for a minute or two when ready.
Q: Can I double this Air Fryer Churros Recipe?
A: Yup, just don’t overload the fryer. Do it in little batches, is all.
Q: What can I use if I don’t have a piping bag?
A: Go old school—zipper bag, corner cut off, works in a pinch.
Q: Are air fryer churros healthier than fried ones?
A: No contest. Way less oil, so they’re lighter but still super tasty.
Q: Do I need to let the dough cool before adding the egg?
A: Don’t rush. Wait a couple minutes or you’ll cook the egg, which would be… bad.
Ready for the Easiest Churro Night Ever?
Let me just say, if you haven’t tried making churros in an air fryer, you’re MISSING OUT. Life gets busy and this recipe skips complicated stuff so you can actually have fun (and dessert) without the mess. If you crave more, check out these game-changers: Air Fryer Churros from Plated Cravings and The best Air Fryer Churros over at Lifestyle of a Foodie. Go on—surprise your friends or, heck, just treat yourself. Seriously, try this Air Fryer Churros Recipe once. Bet it’ll sneak into your regular treat rotation.
Air Fryer Churros
Ingredients
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the flour until the mixture forms a ball and comes away from the sides of the pan.
- Let the mixture cool slightly, then add the egg and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
- Preheat the air fryer as directed. Cut parchment paper into small squares.
- Pipe the dough onto the parchment paper in long strips.
- Spray or brush the piped dough lightly with oil.
- Place the parchment squares with dough into the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- In a bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll the churros in the cinnamon sugar while they are still warm.
